Post by MADMIKE on Apr 9, 2007 16:58:39 GMT -5
Platy
Xiphophorus Maculatu
Poecilidae
Livebearer
Other Common Names: Moonfish,
Topsail Platy, Rainbow Platy
Size: Up to 2" (5cm)
Tank: 20 inches, 10 gallon
Strata: Middle
pH: 7.0 to 8.3
Hardness: medium to hard, dH range: 10-28
Temperature: 68-79°F (20-26°C)
Family: Poecilidae
Origin: East Mexico, Guatemala
Social: Peaceful
Community Tank: Yes
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet: Tubifex, water fleas, mosquito larvae, dried food
Breeding: Easy
Care: Beginner
Classification
Order: Atheriniformes
Suborder: Cyprinodontoide
Family: Poecilidae
Genera: Xiphophorus
General Body Form
A laterally compressed fish with and upturned mouth. The body may be elongated and
the caudal fin in generally fan-shaped.
Some specimens are elongated with both dorsal and ventral profiles slightly curved out
or convex, but mostly they are thick-bodied with a high back.
The dorsal fin has nine or ten fin rays, except for the high-fin varieties.
Males are smaller with a gonopodium
Coloration
The original form had a dark brown-olive back with bluish flanks. The flanks are often
marked with two to five transverse stripes. The belly is whitish.
Most Platies now available are selectively produced. Now the range of colors and fin
shapes is almost unlimited with variations showing up almost on a monthly basis.
Varieties that have remained popular in the hobby include the Red Wagtail Platy,
Tuxedo Platy and many variations on the high fin theme.
Maintenance
Platies are a peaceful community fish. Provide a fairly large tank with live plants and
open swimming areas. Avoid too much driftwood as a rule the livebearers do not like
acidic water.
Although not a schooling fish they benefit by being kept with a large number of their own
kind.
Breeding
An easily bred fish, although the young are hard to protect unless a breeding trap or
other means of refuge is used.
This species is sexually mature at four months
As the male matures the anal fin develops into a structure for reproduction called the
gonopodium. The gonopodium can be moved in almost any direction and stores the
sperm in packs called spermatophores.
Once the sperm is inserted into the female it fertilizers her eggs and the rest is stored in
the oviduct walls for later use.
The eggs are very rich in yolk and the young develop by consuming their yolk stores. In
light colored females pregnancy can be recognized by the growing dark body marking in
front of the anal fin.
After a gestation period of four to six weeks, the mother gives birth to 50-120 young.
Young livebearers are fairly large at birth and their development is very advanced. They
can swim right away, which is needed to avoid their enemies including their parents who
give no natal care whatsoever.
The fry grow very rapidly and will eagerly accept fine flake food.
Xiphophorus Maculatu
Poecilidae
Livebearer
Other Common Names: Moonfish,
Topsail Platy, Rainbow Platy
Size: Up to 2" (5cm)
Tank: 20 inches, 10 gallon
Strata: Middle
pH: 7.0 to 8.3
Hardness: medium to hard, dH range: 10-28
Temperature: 68-79°F (20-26°C)
Family: Poecilidae
Origin: East Mexico, Guatemala
Social: Peaceful
Community Tank: Yes
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet: Tubifex, water fleas, mosquito larvae, dried food
Breeding: Easy
Care: Beginner
Classification
Order: Atheriniformes
Suborder: Cyprinodontoide
Family: Poecilidae
Genera: Xiphophorus
General Body Form
A laterally compressed fish with and upturned mouth. The body may be elongated and
the caudal fin in generally fan-shaped.
Some specimens are elongated with both dorsal and ventral profiles slightly curved out
or convex, but mostly they are thick-bodied with a high back.
The dorsal fin has nine or ten fin rays, except for the high-fin varieties.
Males are smaller with a gonopodium
Coloration
The original form had a dark brown-olive back with bluish flanks. The flanks are often
marked with two to five transverse stripes. The belly is whitish.
Most Platies now available are selectively produced. Now the range of colors and fin
shapes is almost unlimited with variations showing up almost on a monthly basis.
Varieties that have remained popular in the hobby include the Red Wagtail Platy,
Tuxedo Platy and many variations on the high fin theme.
Maintenance
Platies are a peaceful community fish. Provide a fairly large tank with live plants and
open swimming areas. Avoid too much driftwood as a rule the livebearers do not like
acidic water.
Although not a schooling fish they benefit by being kept with a large number of their own
kind.
Breeding
An easily bred fish, although the young are hard to protect unless a breeding trap or
other means of refuge is used.
This species is sexually mature at four months
As the male matures the anal fin develops into a structure for reproduction called the
gonopodium. The gonopodium can be moved in almost any direction and stores the
sperm in packs called spermatophores.
Once the sperm is inserted into the female it fertilizers her eggs and the rest is stored in
the oviduct walls for later use.
The eggs are very rich in yolk and the young develop by consuming their yolk stores. In
light colored females pregnancy can be recognized by the growing dark body marking in
front of the anal fin.
After a gestation period of four to six weeks, the mother gives birth to 50-120 young.
Young livebearers are fairly large at birth and their development is very advanced. They
can swim right away, which is needed to avoid their enemies including their parents who
give no natal care whatsoever.
The fry grow very rapidly and will eagerly accept fine flake food.